Email

PESHAWAR, Sept 20: People continued to take out rallies across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Fata on Thursday against an anti-Islam film produced in the US.

Shouting slogans against the US and filmmaker, they burnt American flag and demanded that the government snap diplomatic relations with the US.

In Peshawar, students from local educational institutions showed up on Sher Shah Suri Road near Peshawar Press Club in large numbers.

Muttahida Talba Mahaz, a grouping of student organisations, had given the call for the protest.

Central president of Tribal Student Federation Haroon Luqman led protesters, who carried placards with messages against the US and the sacrilegious film and for expulsion of the US envoy and severing of diplomatic relations with the US.

Student wing of Pakistan People’s Party staged a demonstration outside the US consulate against the film.

Protesters shouted slogans against the US and filmmaker and for Prophet Mohammad (PBUH).

Also in the day, Wahad Asatiza Khyber Pakhtunkhwa activists led by Sirajuddin Bakhtiar and Maulana Shafiul Rehman took out a procession from Government Middle School, Saddar to Peshawar Press Club.

Protesters condemned the making of the sacrilegious film and demanding public hanging of the filmmaker and end to diplomatic and trade
ties with the US.

“We can’t tolerate such blasphemous films and are ready to render any kind of sacrifice to protect dignity and honour of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH),” a participant said.

Protesters urged the United Nations and the US to act against the filmmaker for hurting religious sentiments of Muslims around the world.

Traders dealing in automobile spares marched from Shuba Bazaar to main Qissa Khawani Chowk against the anti-Islam film.

They set the effigy of US pastor Terry Jones on fire shouting slogans against the US and Israel.

Protesters said the making of the anti-Islam film was meant to hurt religious sentiments of Muslims. They urged Muslims to get united to counter such attempts.

In Mansehra, bazaars remained closed and public transport off the roads in the day.

The shutter down and wheel jam strike calls were given by the traders and transporters associations of Hazara against the anti-Islam film.

Journalists and Hazara University students and teachers took to the streets against the sacrilegious film shouting slogans against the US and filmmaker.

They urged the government to take the matter to the United Nations for effectively checking sacrilegious acts in future.

Demonstrations were also staged in Balakot and other parts of Mansehra district against the film.

In Swabi, Jamaat-i-Islami took out a procession against the anti-Islam film and criticised leaders of Islamic countries for their policy to please the US and its allies.

They held placards inscribed with the anti-US slogans and set the filmmaker’s effigy on fire. Protesters said the filmmaker had angered Muslims across the province and therefore, he would have to pay for the sacrilegious act.

Buner town, too, witnessed protests against the anti-Islam film. Protesters took to the streets and shouted anti-US slogans.

In Timergara, protests against the blasphemous film continued for sixth consecutive day on Thursday. Traders observed shutter down strike.

Students led by former MPA Muzaffar Syed staged a rally in Balambat area.

In Karak, students of schools and colleges blocked Karak-Bannu Road at Saddam Chowk against the sacrilegious film.

They marched from Government Postgraduate College to the downtown Karak, shouting slogans against the US and Pakistani governments. They blocked the road at Saddam Chowk for around an hour.

In Serai Gambila area of Lakki Marwat, political workers and traders protested the production of the anti-Islam film.

JUI-Sami and Jamaat-i-Islami leaders led the rally on Indus Highway. It ended in Gambila bazaar, where speakers condemned the making of the sacrilegious film and demanded strict action against its maker.

In Khar town of Bajaur Agency, too, political and religious parties staged rallies against the anti-Islam film.

Protesters demanded that all Islamic countries immediately suspend diplomatic relations with US and expel American ambassadors to protest the making of the sacrilegious film.

People showed up in large numbers.

In Ghalanai area of Mohmand Agency, students and teachers staged a demonstration in front of Mohmand Press Club against the blasphemous film.